It is human nature for people to desire material possessions. Our material desires are an attempt to satisfy a special, sought-after need. In a world where most of society defines as "socially acceptable" the material possessions one possesses, such as the latest clothes, the biggest house, or the fastest car, we come to believe that it is necessary for all of these things to be seen as part of society. For many, work has taken over community life and has had a major effect on happiness. Advertising has also become a major determinant of our satisfaction, and it is only a small part of a larger materialistic culture in which we are not only attracted customers but also prominent consumers. We have been led to believe that material possessions bring satisfaction and happiness. We imagine ourselves as something more than we are and in this we see how powerful images are. As a teenager, I fell victim to the web of deception and lies woven by the stereotypical belief that we must buy the latest fashion or best technological gadgets. I put a lot of effort into my appearance and my material possessions. I look over and over at advertisements and the images presented within them wishing I had or could afford what they sell. I realized that I am a very materialistic person and that I buy expensive phones, cars and clothes to make myself look better than others who don't have what I have. For example, I wanted a new cell phone that cost well over four hundred dollars. So I got a second job just to afford it. Another example was when I bought my new car. It's a 2006 Phantom. I now work three jobs just to afford the car bill, insurance, gas and general car maintenance. This only goes to…half of the paper…material possessions define one's status in society. If we as a nation stop believing in consumerist ideals and begin to face the fact that material goods do little to improve our standing in society, in fact, they often lower our standing due to the crushing debt that accumulates trying to afford this appearance malignant. It is because of advertisers and our mercantile society that this country has such a high rate of poverty and other social problems. If we want change it must start with us first. It's like Gandhi said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Works Cited Davis, Francis J. “The Power of Images: Creating the Myths of Our Time.” Media and Values ​​57 (1992): Rpt. The composition of daily life. John Mauk, John Metz. Boston: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007. 215-18.Gandhi, Mahatma. QuoteDB. 2005. 13 Apr 2008 .